We all know motion gaming nowadays. It’s even hard to remember the decade when you didn’t have to move your body to control your games. The Wii made it popular and the gaming industry followed. But what I’m really wondering about, is if this motion gaming will be implemented into the next generation of video games. And more important, do I want it to be part of my gaming experience?
First things first, I came in contact with motion gaming when I bought my Wii back in 2006. At first sight it was innovation and extremely great to control the virtual world with your own movements. I could use my Wiimote as a gun, a sword or even an extension of my hands. At first it played like a dream and I was convinced, motion gaming was the future.
Now, in 2011 my enthusiasm has been tempered a lot since that day. Motion gaming still remains a great idea but never really adds something to the game that normal buttons couldn’t do. The biggest problem however is that there just aren’t that many games that make good use of the motion controls. Not on Wii, not on PlayStation 3 and not on Xbox 360.
The Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3 use the same mechanics more or less, you’ll have your controller and if you move your controller you can interact with the virtual world. It sounds very cool but I must admit that in most games the motion controls are just another gimmick to give the game a ‘modern’ feeling. The most popular motion games like the Sport or Dance titles actually are a collection of short mini-games that you can play with your motion controller. But where are the big, innovation and unique adventure games that ONLY use motion controls?
Those titles are very hard to find and that’s because it just won’t work in my opinion. I don’t see myself playing Uncharted games when I have to use my body the whole time to control Nate. While I’m gaming, I enjoy sitting in my Fatboy, focusing on the game itself and not on the movements that I have to make. A controller with buttons will always remain more powerful and more accurate than motion controls.
On the other hand, there sure are games that do use motion gaming in a brilliant way, I’m thinking of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. In this game you can control your sword using the Wii MotionPlus. This gives you the feeling you’re connected with Link. You feel the battle and the struggling he has to face to defeat the enemy. It’s in games and moments like these that you’ll see the true potential of motion gaming.
I might say that motion gaming still is a great idea to innovate the way we play but it still needs to develop. This generation was the first push towards innovation and I think during the next generation motion gaming will still play an important role. An example for this is Kinect on Xbox 360.
The Kinect device is something very wonderful I think, the idea to control your game with your body is quite brilliant and could work in ways we couldn’t even imagine. It’s just a shame that this generation won’t really benefit from the possibilities Kinect really has to offer.
In my opinion, motion gaming is a nice step forward but there’s still a lot to be done to make motion gaming the next big thing. The opportunities really are already out there but it’s up to the developers to embrace the motion controls and make some really big and adventurous games without making it feel gimmicky. I think it will be very difficult to do so, as proven by the motion games in stores now, but I do believe there’s still a future for the motion games. Perhaps a future where motion controllers and traditional controllers can live side by side?
How do I see the next generation of video games? I think traditional gaming controllers will remain so that the hardcore group will still be pleased but I also think motion gaming will play a very important role in the next generation. After all, don’t you think that all the ‘casual gamers’ are done with dancing and mini-games? I think it’s time for them and also for us to start a new and big adventure. An adventure filled with innovating use of the motion controls.
What’s your opinion on this subject? Do you wish for motion controls in your next generation platforms? Or would you rather go back to the world were games could only be controlled using buttons? Let us know in the comments below!
I’ve got two move controllers and a Wii. Red Steel on the Wii is the best game that I have played with motion controls, the shooting and sword fighting is spot on in the game. But that’s the only game which I feel has implemented it well. So far on the PS3 I have played 3 Move compatible games, Sports Champions, Killzone 3 and Resistance 3. Sport Champions is great, dont get me wrong, but as you say it’s just a few mini games. As for move in KZ3 and R3 I just couldn’t complete the whole game in move, it’s just frustrating. But for short blasts it’s great. There still needs to be a lot done with Motion gaming, the technology is there but the games quite frankly aren’t at the moment. Hopefully Sorcery next year will offer hope for Move – and steer it away from dance and fitness games. So next generation I welcome motion gaming but it needs the support of great adventure games like you have said.